The golden-shouldered parrot, also known as the alwal, arrmorral, minpin, thaku and antbed parrot , is a rare bird of southern Cape York Peninsula, in Queensland, Australia. A small parrot related to the more common hooded parrot of the Northern Territory and the extinct paradise parrot of Queensland and New South Wales.
Region
Cape York Peninsula
Typical Environment
Occurs in open tropical savanna and grassy woodlands with scattered termite mounds, especially in areas with eucalypts and paperbarks. Prefers sites where recent, patchy fires or light grazing expose bare ground, making fallen seeds accessible. Nests are almost exclusively in active termite mounds, typically low to mid-height mounds in flat country. The species uses nearby water sources and open tracks for foraging corridors. It avoids dense, long-unburnt grass and heavily wooded areas.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This striking parrot nests inside active termite mounds, excavating a tunnel to a nesting chamber where the mound’s constant temperature helps incubate eggs. It relies on a fine mosaic of recently burned and lightly grazed grasslands to find seeds on bare ground. Males show a vivid golden shoulder patch that gives the species its name. Habitat alteration, predator increases, and inappropriate fire regimes have driven significant declines.
Male in flight
A pair in captivity in the Netherlands
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with swift, direct flight
Social Behavior
Often seen in pairs or small family groups, forming slightly larger flocks outside the breeding season. Pairs excavate nest tunnels into active termite mounds and may nest in loose colonies where suitable mounds cluster. Breeding typically follows the wet season when seeds are abundant. They roost communally in low trees or near termite mounds.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Calls are soft, high-pitched twitters and tinkling notes used for contact in flight. Displaying males give a slightly more musical series of trills accompanied by wing flicks.
Plumage
Male is sleek with bright blue to turquoise underparts, greenish back, and a distinctive golden-yellow shoulder patch; female is duller olive-brown with pale blue wash below. Both sexes have long, tapering tails and a fine, slightly hooked bill.
Diet
Feeds mainly on grass seeds, including native speargrasses and cockatoo grass, gleaned from the ground. It also takes seeds of sedges and herbs, often picking fallen seed from bare patches created by recent fires or grazing. Occasional small invertebrates may be taken incidentally, especially by chicks, but seeds dominate the diet.
Preferred Environment
Forages on open ground within grassy savannas, particularly along recently burned edges, tracks, and lightly grazed flats. Frequently feeds near termite mounds and low shrubs that provide quick refuge from predators.
